AN AMAZING CONFESSION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 August 1928, Page 8

AN AMAZING CONFESSION.

AMERICAN- RUNNERS’ TACTICS. ONE IDEA OF SPORTSMANSHIP. While on the .subject of the sprints at the Olympic Games, I am reminded of Charles Paddock’s recent speech on the American radio regarding the 109 metres final which was won by H. M. Abrahams at Paris in 1924, (writes Joe Binks in the “News of the World” on July 8tli). This final contained four Americans against Abrahams and Porrittt. Paddock stated: —

It was suggested that the American who drew the inside lane tha day, the moment that he was set, should start running. The rest of us would know what to expect, and could save ourselves. But Abrahams, t-be Englishman, in order to protect himself, would have to go, too, expending his energy. Of course, if the first American was not called back, he would undoubtedly win. But if lie did not get away with it, then the next American would have started twice, while Abrahams would have had to start hard eight times. In the many chances it was very probable that one American would get away. But if no one did, it would not make any difference, because Abrahams would lie so worn out from his eight trials that an American would win anyway. It was a grand idea. It could hardly fail. The four of us left our tent and went to the starting line, confident that Abrahams would be beaten., . . I drew the inside lane. The moment I looked at the number I knew that the scheme was off. And my team-mates seemed to sense it too. For the training that we had had in American athletics prevented us from seizing that kind of an opportunity. . . . We were called to our mark. We were set. The gun was fired. We were off together the first time. Slowly Abrahams pulled away, and he broke the tape well ahead. He deserved to win. because he was the best man that day. it really does astonish me to know that Paddock can really expose such a 'miserable plot in which he had engaged himself. Obviously he treats the whole matter as a practical joke, which was not carried out, but theye is no doubt about the unhealthy state of the whole business. The fact that the scheme was not carried out does not excuse those -four American Olympic sprinters. I brings back vividly the 109 metres final at Stockholm iii 1912, when the South African, G. H. Patching, was opposed by five Americans. The latter pursued the tactics suggested by Paddock, with the result that we saw six or seven false starts, and Patching, being rather temperamental, was a thoroughly worn-out man in the final. I well remember him expressing to me his great disgust of the whole business after the race. Patching never got over it.